Old Vines

It takes at least 40 years for vines to begin making truly exceptional wines.

Young vines typically produce an abundance of grapes that may deliver inconsistent quality from one year to the next. After a rainy season, the shallow root systems of young vines absorb surface water, bloating grapes and diluting the juice. Too little pruning can result in poor quality fruit, while too much pruning can result in too little fruit.

But the quality of old vine fruit is constant. A deeper root system means protection from heavy rains as well as droughts. With a reduced sap flow, old vines yield smaller clusters of grapes and smaller berries. This means a higher ratio of skin to juice, and proper management can result in richer wines with more sumptuous balance.

These “old vines” are rare, and we have been fortunate to preserve these patriarchs of the past, which we believe can make our future great. This is a strategic advantage that differentiates Algodon from the crowd.